taken 4 months ago, near to Dartmouth, Devon, Great Britain

The college (then HMS Britannia) was bombed in September 1942, moved briefly to Bristol, then in February 1943 to Eaton Hall in Cheshire. This has particular significance for the photographer as his brother-in-law John Excell from New Zealand joined HMS Britannia at Eaton Hall as a special cadet, later being commissioned in the New Zealand Navy.

Britannia Royal Naval College is the main establishment training Naval officers. It was built at Dartmouth in 1905, designed by Sir George Aston Webb. From 1863 the training hulks Britannia and Hindostan were moored on the river; when these wooden ships became unsuitable nearby land was purchased as a base.